Exercise machine

ABSTRACT

An exercise machine includes manually grasped and displaced levers and includes bracket assemblies adjustable to permit the levers to engage the levers and enable each lever individually and independently to be manually pulled or pushed. An elastic operably associated with each bracket provides resistance and returns each bracket to a stored at rest position after a manual displacement force on the bracket is released.

This invention pertains to exercise machines.

More particularly, this invention pertains to an exercise machine that facilitates exercises which require one arm or leg to pull and another arm or leg to push.

In a further respect, this invention pertains to an exercise machine the facilitates the use of a machine to first perform an exercise in which the user's hands grasp a single handle in front of the user's body and to then perform an exercise in which each hand grasps a different handle on the exercise machine.

A wide variety of exercise machines are available to exercise the body. One presently preferred exercise regimen requires the user to pull with one hand (or foot) and to push with the other hand (or foot).

Consequently, it would be desirable to provide an improved exercise machine that facilitates the performance of push and pull exercises.

Therefore, it an object of the present invention to provide an improved exercise machine.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved exercise machine utilizing levers that can be readily adjusted to perform either push or pull exercises.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved exercise machine that can be readily adapted to perform exercises that require the simultaneous cooperative use of both arms on a single lever to laterally displace a lever and that require the use of each arm each on a different one of first and second levers to displace the first and second levers independently of each other in opposing directions.

These and other, further and more specific objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those of skill in the art from the following detailed description thereof, taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an exercise machine constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the exercise machine of FIG. 1 including a lever that requires lateral displacement when gripped with the hands of a user and displaced using the arms and upper body of the user;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the exercise machine of FIG. 2 including a pair of levers that each are engaged by a foot of a user to be displaced using a leg of the user;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the exercise machine of FIG. 1 illustrating the mode of operation thereof;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the exercise machine of FIG. 1 illustrating the mode of operation thereof;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a lever assembly utilized on the exercise machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the lever assembly of FIG. 6 illustrating the mode of operation thereof;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective assembly view illustrating the lever assembly of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the exercise machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view illustrating construction details of a portion of the exercise machine of FIG. 1, which portion is constructed to removably secure the lever assembly of FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating the lever assembly of FIG. 6;

FIG. 12 is an exploded view illustrating construction details and the mode of operation of the lever adjustment portion of the lever assembly of FIG. 6 that is utilized to adjust the lever assembly for push or pull exercises;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating the lever assembly of FIG. 6;

FIG. 14 is an exploded view further illustrating the mode of operation of the lever adjustment portion of the lever assembly of FIG. 6 that is utilized to adjust the lever assembly for push or pull exercises;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating the lever assembly of FIG. 6;

FIG. 16 is an exploded view further illustrating the mode of operation of the lever adjustment portion of the lever assembly of FIG. 6 that is utilized to adjust the lever assembly for push or pull exercises;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating the lever adjustment portion of the lever assembly of FIG. 6 in the position illustrated in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view illustrating the lever adjustment portion of the lever assembly of FIG. 6 in the position illustrated in FIG. 14;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view illustrating the lever adjustment portion of the lever assembly of FIG. 6 in the position illustrated in FIG. 12;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view illustrating an alternate lever assembly that is mounted on the top of the frame of the exercise machine of the invention in the manner illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the lever assembly of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a top view illustrating the mode of operation of the lever assembly of FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 is a top view further illustrating the mode of operation of the lever assembly of FIG. 20;

FIG. 24 is a top view further illustrating the mode of operation of the lever assembly of FIG. 20; and,

FIG. 25 is a perspective view illustrating an alternate lever assembly that can be mounted on the exercise machine of the invention in the manner illustrated in FIG. 3 to exercise the legs of a user.

Briefly, in accordance with the invention, I provide an improved exercise machine. The machine includes a frame; a seat mounted on the frame; and, a lever assembly mounted on the frame. The lever assembly includes a base; at least one lever mounted on the base and having a distal end with a handle and a proximate end pivotally connected to the base; a stop member fixedly mounted on the base; a first bracket having a distal end with a first engagement member extending outwardly therefrom and a proximate end pivotally mounted on the base and movable between at least two operative positions, a first normal operative position with the first engagement member contacting the stop member, and a second displaced operative position with the first engagement member spaced apart from the stop member; (v) a second bracket having a distal end with a second engagement member extending outwardly therefrom and a proximate end pivotally mounted on the base and movable between at least two operative positions, a first normal operative position with the second engagement member contacting the stop member, and a second displaced operative position with the second engagement member spaced apart from the stop member; and, an elastic member engaging and extending between the first and second engagement members. The lever assembly also includes a slide operatively associated with the lever and movable between at least two operative positions, a first operative position engaging the proximate end of the first bracket such that displacing the distal end pivotally displaces the first bracket to move the first engagement member away from the stop and distends the elastic member to generate a force pulling the second member against the stop, and a second operative position engaging the proximate end of the second bracket such that displacing the distal end pivotally displaces the second bracket to move the second engagement member away from the stop and distends the elastic member to generate a force pulling the first member against the stop. The exercise machine can include a second lever assembly mounted on the frame. The second lever assembly comprises a base; at least one lever mounted on the base and having a distal end with a handle and a proximate end pivotally connected to the base; a second stop member fixedly mounted on the base; a third bracket having a distal end with a third engagement member extending outwardly therefrom and a proximate end pivotally mounted on the base and movable between at least two operative positions, a first normal operative position with the third engagement member contacting the second stop member, and a second displaced operative position with the third engagement member spaced apart from the second stop member; a fourth bracket having a distal end with a fourth engagement member extending outwardly therefrom and a proximate end pivotally mounted on the base and movable between at least two operative positions, a first normal operative position with the fourth engagement member contacting the second stop member, and a second displaced operative position with the fourth engagement member spaced apart from the second stop member; and, an elastic member engaging and extending between the first and second engagement members.

In another embodiment of the invention, I provide an improved method for performing an exercise. The method includes the step of providing an exercise machine. The machine comprises a frame; a seat mounted on the frame; and, a lever assembly mounted on the frame. The lever assembly includes a base; at least one lever mounted on the base and having a distal end with a handle and a proximate end pivotally connected to the base; a stop member fixedly mounted on the base; a first bracket having a distal end with a first engagement member extending outwardly therefrom and a proximate end pivotally mounted on the base and movable between at least two operative positions, a first normal operative position with the first engagement member contacting the stop member, and a second displaced operative position with the first engagement member spaced apart from the stop member; (v) a second bracket having a distal end with a second engagement member extending outwardly therefrom and a proximate end pivotally mounted on the base and movable between at least two operative positions, a first normal operative position with the second engagement member contacting the stop member, and a second displaced operative position with the second engagement member spaced apart from the stop member; and, an elastic member engaging and extending between the first and second engagement members. The lever assembly also includes a slide operatively associated with the lever and movable between at least two operative positions, a first operative position engaging the proximate end of the first bracket such that displacing the distal end pivotally displaces the first bracket to move the first engagement member away from the stop and distends the elastic member to generate a force pulling the second member against the stop, and a second operative position engaging the proximate end of the second bracket such that displacing the distal end pivotally displaces the second bracket to move the second engagement member away from the stop and distends the elastic member to generate a force pulling the first member against the stop. The method also includes the steps of moving the slide to the first operative position; and, pulling the distal end of the lever to pivotally displace the first bracket to move the first engagement member away from the stop and distend the elastic member to generate a force pulling the second member against the stop.

Turning now to the drawings, which depict the presently preferred embodiments of the invention for the purpose of illustrating the practice thereof, and not by way of limitation of the scope of the invention, and in which like characters refer to corresponding elements throughout the several views, FIG. 1 illustrates an exercise machine constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention and including a frame including a generally horizontally oriented base 12 including feet 13 and 14. The frame also includes generally vertically oriented neck 11 attached to base 12 by bolts 21. Seat 15 and headrest 16 are adjustably mounted on the frame, along with footrest 23. Seat 15 includes handle 24.

As indicated by arrows B in FIG. 1, the position of headrest 16 can be adjusted up and down along neck 11 utilizing apertures 18 formed in neck 11 and a quick release pin 20 that removably extends through an aperture (not visible) in headrest 16 and into a selected aperture 18 in neck 11.

Similarly, the position of seat 15 can be adjusted up and down along neck 11 utilizing apertures 17 formed in neck 11 and a quick release pin that removably extends through an aperture (not visible) in seat 15 and into a selected aperture 17 in neck 11. The cant of seat 15 can also be adjusted.

The position of footrest 23 on base 12 can be adjusted in the directions indicated by arrows D in FIG. 1 by inserting elongate cylindrical footrest 23 in a selected one of apertures 22 formed through base 12.

Lever assemblies 25 and 25A are removably bolted with fastening assemblies to the frame of the exercise machine. The fastening assembly that secures lever assembly 25 to base 12 includes brackets 31 and 32 (FIGS. 1 and 10), C-shaped brackets 80 an 81, and bolts 82 to 85 (FIG. 10).

Brackets 31A (FIG. 1) are part of the fastening assembly that secures lever assembly 25A to the neck 11. The fastening assembly for lever assembly 25 is identical in construction and function to the fastening assembly for lever assemblies 25A and 40.

The position of each bracket 31, 32, 31A on base 12 or neck 11 is adjustable utilizing bolt-receiving apertures 19 and 30 formed therein. The position of brackets 31A can be adjusted up and down on neck 11 in the manner indicated by arrows A. The position of brackets 31, 32 on base 12 can be adjusted in the lateral directions indicated by arrows C by utilizing bolt—apertures 30 formed in base 12. Apertures 19 are formed in the top 37 of neck 11.

Lever assembly 25 includes levers 26 and 27. The distal end of lever 26 includes handle 28. The distal end of lever 27 includes handle 29. The proximate, or lower, ends of levers 26 and 27 are pivotally attached to a base 50 (FIG. 6) that is fixedly held in position on the exercise machine by the afore-mentioned fastening assembly.

Lever assembly 25A is identical in construction and shape and dimension to lever assembly 25. Lever assembly includes levers 26A and 27A. The distal end of lever 26A includes handle 28A. The distal end of lever 27A includes handle 29A. The proximate, or lower, ends of levers 26A and 27A are pivotally attached to a base 50A that is fixedly held in position on the exercise machine by the afore-mentioned fastening assembly.

The lever assembly 35 includes gooseneck 88 provided with flanges 38 (FIG. 20) that are secured with bolts 39 to apertures 39 formed in the top 37 of neck 11 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 2. Arm 84 (FIG. 20) of lever assembly includes handle 36 (FIG. 2).

Lever assembly 40 (FIG. 3) is identical in construction and shape and dimension to lever assembly 25 except that the shape of arms 26B and 27B (FIG. 25) is somewhat different than the shape of arms 26, 27 (arms 26B, 27B are straight while arms 26, 27 are somewhat curved), and except that the distal ends of arms 26B and 27B are not provided with handles and are instead provided with stirrups 41, 42 (FIG. 3).

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate how the orientation of a lever assembly 25, 25A on the exercise machine of the invention can be altered. The orientation of lever assembly 25 in FIG. 4 is altered by loosening the afore-mentioned fastening assembly associated with lever assembly 25, by rotating lever assembly 25 (including cylindrical base 50) in the direction of arrow F (FIG. 4) to the position shown in FIG. 5, and by then tightening said fastening assembly to secure base 50 and lever assembly 50 in place. As earlier discussed herein, the fastening assembly for lever assembly 25 is shown in more detail in FIG. 10 and includes C-shaped brackets 80 and 81. Bracket 80 is removably secured to bracket 31 by bolt 82 and bolt 84. Bracket 81 is removably secured to bracket 32 by bolt 83 and bolt 85. When brackets 80 and 81 are loosened by loosening (or removing) bolts 82 to 85, as the case may be, cylindrical base 50 (and the entire lever assembly 25) can be rotated to move lever assembly 25 from the position illustrated in FIG. 4 to the position shown in FIG. 5. Once lever assembly 25 is in the position illustrated in FIG. 5, bolts 82 to 85 are tightened to squeeze base 50 between brackets 80 and 31 and between brackets 81 and 32.

Lever assembly 25 is depicted in greater detail in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8.

Lever 26 is operatively associated with bracket arms 70 and 72.

Arm 70 includes a proximate end that is mounted on and can pivot about fixed axle 70 (FIG. 8) of cylindrical base 50. Pin 71 is fixedly secured in the distal end of arm 70 and extends outwardly away from the inside and outside of arm 70. In FIG. 6, the portion of pin 71 extending outwardly away from the inside of arm 70 bears against an edge of bracket 56. One end of elastic member 74 is attached to the portion of pin 71 that extends outwardly away from the outside of arm 70 and that also extends away from bracket 56.

Arm 72 includes a proximate end that is mounted on and can pivot about fixed axle 70 (FIG. 8) of cylindrical base 50. Pin 73 is fixedly secured in the distal end of arm 72 and extends outwardly away from the inside and outside of arm 72. In FIG. 6, the portion of pin 73 extending outwardly away from the inside of arm 70 bears against an edge of bracket 56. One end of elastic member 74 is attached to the portion of arm pin 73 that extends outwardly away from the outside of arm 72 (not visible in FIGS. 6 to 8) and that also extends away from bracket 56.

Spherical handle 76 is fixedly secured to orthogonal slide 75 by neck 76A. Neck 76A extends through slot 77. Handle 76 is utilized to slidably displace slide 75 between three operative positions. Slide 75 includes distal end 75A, notch 83, and intermediate portion 75B.

The first operative position of slide 75 is illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 19. In the first operative position, distal end 75A is positioned in a notch 80 (or 81) that is formed in the proximate end of arm 72. The notch 83 of slide 75 spans and extends over and above the distal end of arm 70 so that slide 75 does not engage arm 70. When slide 75 and handle 76 are in the first operative position, grasping handle 28 and displacing and pivoting arm 26 in a direction of travel Q (FIG. 6) simultaneously pivots slide 75 in the same direction and causes slide 75 to pivot in the same direction. When slide 75 pivots, it causes (because slide 75 is engaging notch 80) the proximate end of arm 72 to pivot about cylindrical base 50 in the same direction of travel Q, which causes the distal end of arm 72 to move away from bracket 56 in the direction of arrow W. When the distal end of arm 72, and consequently pin 73, moves in the direction of arrow W, elastic member 74 is stretched and pulls pin 71 against bracket 56. Arm 70 and pin 71 do not move because pin 71 is pulled against bracket 56 by elastic member 74.

Handle 76 and neck 76A are fixedly connected to slide 75. In FIG. 14, the right hand end of slide 75 is not visible and is slidably mounted in a housing that include upper panel 77A. An aperture (not visible) is formed in said right hand end and houses a spring (not visible) that upwardly presses a ball bearing (not shown) against the undersurface (not shown) of upper panel 77A. The undersurface includes three spaced apart detents each shaped to removably receive the ball bearing when slide 75 is in one of the three operative positions described herein. A similar aperture (not visible) is formed in the left hand end of slide 62 (FIG. 8) and receives a spring that upwardly presses a ball bearing 62C (FIG. 8) against the undersurface of upper panel 77B of the housing in which slide 62 slidably moves. The undersurface of upper panel 77B has, as does the undersurface of upper panel 77A, three spaced apart detents each shaped to removably receive ball bearing 62C when slide 62 is in one of its three operative positions.

Slide 75 is displaced in the direction of arrow K in FIG. 14 by grasping handle 76 and applying sufficient force in the direction of arrow K to downwardly dislodge the ball bearing from a detent in panel 77A and allow slide 75 to slide in the direction of arrow K (or in the opposite direction, as the case may be). After the ball bearing is dislodged from the detent, the spring associated with the ball bearing continues to upwardly press the ball bearing against the undersurface of panel 77A. When slide 75 reaches a new position, the spring pushes the ball bearing into another one of the detents formed in the undersurface of panel 77A to receive the ball bearing when the slide 75 is in the new position. In this manner, handle 76 can be utilized to move slide 75 back and forth between its three operative positions, and at each operative position the ball bearing operatively associated with slide 75 seats in a detent to help stabilize the slide in that operative position. Handle 53 is utilized to slidably displace slide 62 (FIG. 8) in a similar manner.

The second operative position of slide 75 is illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 18. Slide 75 is moved to the second operative position by grasping handle 76, pulling it outwardly in the direction of arrow L (FIG. 12) to release the spring loaded ball bearing, and by pulling on handle 76 to displace slide 75 in the direction of arrow J (FIG. 12) to move the slide to the position shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. When slide 75 is in the position illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, notch 83 spans and extends over and above the proximate ends of arms 70 and 72 such that lever 26 can be freely moved in the directions indicated by arrows H and Q in FIG. 6.

The third operative position of slide 75 is illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17. In the third operative position, intermediate portion 75B is positioned in a notch 82 that is formed in the proximate end of arm 70. The notch 83 spans and extends over and above the distal end of arm 72 so that slide 75 does not engage arm 72. When slide 75 and handle 76 are in the third operative position, grasping handle 28 and displacing and pivoting arm 26 in a direction of travel H (FIG. 6) simultaneously pivots slide 75 in the same direction and causes slide 75 to pivot in the direction. When slide 75 pivots, it causes (because slide 75 is engaging notch 82) the proximate end of arm 702 to pivot about cylindrical base 50 in the same direction of travel H, which causes the distal end of arm 70 to move away from bracket 56 in the direction of arrow T (FIG. 6). When the distal end of arm 70, and consequently pin 71, moves in the direction of arrow T, elastic member 74 is stretched and pulls pin 73 against bracket 56. Arm 72 and pin 73 do not move because pin 73 is pulled by elastic member 74 against bracket 56.

Lever 27 is operatively associated with bracket arms 57 and 59.

Arm 57 (FIG. 8) includes a proximate end that is connected to and can pivot about cylindrical base 50. Pin 58 is fixedly secured in the distal end of arm 57 and extends outwardly away from the inside and outside of arm 57. In FIG. 6, the portion of pin 58 extending outwardly away from the inside of arm 57 (not visible) bears against an edge of bracket 55. One end of elastic member 61 is attached to the portion of pin 58 that extends outwardly away from the outside of arm 57 and that also extends away from bracket 55.

Arm 59 includes a proximate end with a hollow sleeve 69 that is mounted on and pivots about axle 70 of cylindrical base 50. Pin 60 is fixedly secured in the distal end of arm 59 and extends outwardly away from the inside and outside of arm 59. In FIG. 6, the portion of pin 60 extending outwardly away from the inside of arm 59 (not visible) bears against an edge of bracket 55. One end of elastic member 61 is attached to the portion of pin 60 that extends outwardly away from the outside of arm 59 and that also extends away from bracket 55. Elastic member 61 extends between pins 58 and 61 and, in FIG. 6, is tensioned and functions to generate forces that pull pins 58 and 61 toward each other and against bracket 55. Elastic member 74 similarly is, in FIG. 6, tensioned and functions to generate forces that pull pins 71 and 73 toward each other and against bracket 56.

Spherical handle 53 is fixedly secured to orthogonal slide 62 by neck 54. Neck 54 extends through slot 52. Handle 53 is utilized to slidably displace slide 62 between three operative positions. Slide 62 includes distal end 62A, notch 63, and intermediate portion 62. The shape and dimension and operation of slide 62, handle 53, elastic member 61, bracket 55, arms 57, 59, and lever 27 is equivalent to that described above for slide 75, handle 76, elastic member 74, bracket 56, arms 70 and 72, and lever 26.

Notches 67 and 68 are formed in the proximate end of arm 59 for selective engagement by slide 62. Notches 64 and 65 are formed in the proximate end of arm 57 for selective engagement by slide 62. The proximate ends of arms 57 and 59 are provided with sleeves 66 and 69, respectively with cylindrical apertures formed there through to permit arms 57 and 59 to be mounted and pivot on fixed axle 70 of base 50 in the same manner that levers 26, 27 and arms 70 and 72 pivot on axle 70.

When lever 27 is pushed in the direction of arrow G, slide 62 is positioned to engage a notch 67, 68 in arm 59 such that pin 60 is displaced away from bracket 55 when lever 27 is moved from the position shown in FIG. 6 and is moved in the direction of arrow G.

When lever 27 is pulled in the direction of arrow R in FIG. 6, slide 62 is slidably positioned to engage a notch 64, 65 in arm 57 such that pin 58 is displaced away from bracket 55 when lever 27 is moved from the position shown in FIG. 6 and is moved in the direction of arrow V.

As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, levers 26 and 27 can—by adjusting the position of slides 62 and 75 to engage selected ones of arms 57, 59, 70, 72—be configured such that levers 26, 27 can be pulled in the same direction, indicated in FIG. 6 by arrows H and R; can be pushed in the same direction, indicated in FIG. 6 by arrows Q and G; or, can be displaced in opposing directions which is, for example, the case when lever 26 (by properly positioning slide 75) is configured to be pushed in the direction of arrow Q and lever 27 is (by properly positioning slide 62) is configured to be pulled in the direction of arrow R.

FIGS. 20 to 24 illustrate in more detail an alternate lever assembly 35 that is, as previously described with reference to FIG. 2, attached to the top 37 of neck 11. The distal end of lever 84 includes handle 36. The proximate end of lever 84 is attached to adjustable pivot assembly 85 such that position of lever 84 can be adjusted to various fixed operative positions by loosening assembly 85, by pivoting lever 84 about axis A1 in a direction L away from neck 11 or in a direction opposite that indicated by arrow L and toward neck 11, and by tightening assembly 85 to secure lever 84 in the desired position. The distal ends of arms 86 and 87 are attached to pivot assembly 85. Arms 86, 87 extend upwardly from pivot assembly 85. The proximate end of arm 86 includes hollow sleeve 92 that slidably receives pin 110 (FIG. 21). The proximate end of arm 87 includes hollow sleeve 99 that slidably receives pin 110. Accordingly, when sleeve assembly is assembled, pin 110 extends through sleeve 92, through sleeve 111 (FIG. 21), and through sleeve 99. Sleeve 111 is fixedly secured to hollow cylindrical sleeve 93.

Bracket 105 is fixedly secured to the base of upwardly extending fixed cylindrical pin 102 (FIG. 21). Bracket 105 includes side linear contact surfaces 104 and 105.

Lever 84 and arms 86, 87 are operatively associated with bracket arms 100 and 101.

Arm 100 includes a proximate end with a hollow cylindrical sleeve 113 that is slidably mounted on and can pivot about fixed pin 102. Pin 102 extends outwardly and upwardly away from goose neck 88. Pin 89 of arm 100 extends outwardly from the bottom and top of arm 100. In FIG. 20, the portion of pin 89 extending downwardly away from the bottom of arm 100 bears against an edge 103 of bracket 105 and also bears against edge 114 of an orthogonal plate 115. Plate 115 is fixedly secured to the bottom of arms 86 and 87. One end of elastic member 91 is attached to the portion of pin 89 that extends outwardly upwardly away from the top of arm 89 and that also extends away from bracket 105.

Arm 101 includes a proximate end with a hollow cylindrical sleeve 112 that is slidably mounted on and can pivot about fixed pin 102. Pin 90 of arm 101 extends outwardly from the bottom and top of arm 101. In FIG. 20, the portion of pin 90 extending downwardly away from the bottom of arm 101 bears against an edge 104 of bracket 105 and also bears against an edge 116 (FIG. 23) of orthogonal plate 115. One end of elastic member 91 is attached to the portion of pin 90 that extends outwardly upwardly away from the top of arm 90 and that also extends away from bracket 105.

Cylindrical sleeve 93 is slidably mounted on and can pivot about pin 102.

Hollow orthogonal sleeve 95 (FIG. 21) is fixedly secured to hollow sleeve 93 to slidably removably receive an end of orthogonal slide 96. Slide 96 is slidably housed in orthogonal hollow housing 97. Handle 94 extends through slot 98 in housing 97 and is fixedly secured to slide 96 in the directions indicated by arrows Y and Z in FIG. 21. One end of slide 96 normally extends into sleeve 95 to prevent lever 84 from being upwardly displaced in the direction of arrow X in FIG. 21.

In FIGS. 2 and 20. Lever 84 is positioned in front of and centered on neck 11. Lever 84 can be pivoted in a direction indicated by arrow M or N about vertically oriented axis A2 (that passes through the center of pin 102) through an arc of one hundred and eighty degrees to a position behind neck 11 and at the rear of the exercise machine of FIG. 1. This is accomplished by (1) manually operating handle 94 to move slide 96 in the direction of arrow Z such that a portion of slide 96 is no longer inside hollow sleeve 95, and (2) lifting lever 84 (and consequently arms 86 and 87) in the direction of arrow L in FIG. 20 to pivot lever 84 about horizontally oriented axis A3 until plate 115 is positioned above pins 89 and 90. After plate 115 is above pins 89 and 90, lever 84 and arms 86 and 87 (and sleeve 93) can be pivoted in either direction M and N about axis A2 until lever 84 and arms 86 and 87 are positioned behind neck 11, instead of in front of neck 11.

Even when a portion of slide 96 is inside hollow sleeve 95 and prevents arms 86 and 87 from pivoting upwardly in the direction of arrow L, lever 84 can still be grasped and moved a selected limited distance in the direction of arrow L or in a direction opposite that of arrow L. Pivot assembly 85 permits the upper end of lever 84 to pivot in assembly 85 so that lever 84 can be moved said selected distance in the direction of arrow L or in a direction opposite that of arrow L. Flat surfaces or stops in assembly 85 prevent lever 84 from being moved more than said selected limited distance in the direction of arrow L or in a direction opposite that of arrow L.

When lever 84 is, however, positioned in front of neck 11 in the first operative position illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 20, 23, then lever 84 can be moved to at least two other operative positions.

When lever 84 is in the first operative position illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 20, 23, tensioned elastic member 91 pulls pins 89 and 90 toward one another, against edge 103 and 104, respectively of bracket 105, and against edges 114 and 116 (FIG. 23), respectively, of plate 115.

When lever 84 is in the first operative position of FIG. 23, and lever 84 is manually grasped and displaced in the direction of arrow M to the second operative position illustrated in FIG. 22, edge 114 of plate 115 bears against and displaces pin 89, and consequently arm 100, in the direction of arrow M. When pin 89 is displaced in the direction of arrow M, the proximate end of arm 100 pivots pin 102 and the distal end of arm 100 moves away from edge 103 of bracket 105. When the distal end of arm 100, and consequently pin 89, moves in the direction of arrow M, elastic member 91 is stretched and pulls pin 90 against edge 104 of bracket 56. Arm 101 and pin 90 do not move because pin 71 is pulled against fixed bracket 105. This increases the magnitude of the resisting force produced by elastic member 91. Allowing lever 84 to move from the second operative position of FIG. 22 back to the first operative position of FIG. 23 reduces the magnitude of the force produced by elastic member 91.

When lever 84 is in the first operative position of FIG. 23, and lever 84 is manually grasped and displaced in the direction of arrow N to the third operative position illustrated in FIG. 24, edge 116 of plate 115 bears against and displaces pin 90, and consequently arm 101, in the direction of arrow N. When pin 90 is displaced in the direction of arrow N, the proximate end of arm 101 pivots pin 102 and the distal end of arm 101 moves away from edge 104 of bracket 105. When the distal end of arm 101, and consequently pin 90, moves in the direction of arrow N, elastic member 91 is stretched and pulls pin 89 against edge 103 of bracket 56. Arm 100 and pin 89 do not move because pin 89 is pulled against bracket 105. This increases the magnitude of the resisting force produced by elastic member 91. Allowing lever 84 to move from the third operative position of FIG. 24 back to the first operative position of FIG. 23 reduces the magnitude of the force produced by elastic member 91.

EXAMPLE

The following example is given by way of explanation, and not limitation, of the exercise machine of the invention.

In use of the exercise machine of FIG. 1, quick release pins 84 and 85 (FIG. 10) securing lever assemblies 25 and 25A are loosened, and the lever assemblies 25, 25A are rotated E (FIG. 4) to desired orientations, after which the quick release pins 84 and 85 are tightened to secure lever assemblies 25, 25A in the desired orientations, which desired orientations, for sake of this example, correspond to the orientations shown in FIG. 1.

Handle 76 is utilized to move slide 75 to the position shown in FIG. 12 in which slide 75 engages a notch 80 in the proximate end of arm 72 to facilitate lever 26 being pushed in the direction of arrow Q in FIG. 6. When lever 26 is pushed in the direction of arrow Q, arm 72 pivots about axle 70 of base 50, pin 73 moves away from bracket 56, elastic member 74 is stretched to increase the resistance provided by elastic member 74, and pin 71 is pulled and pressed against fixed bracket 56.

Handle 53 is utilized to move slide 62 to a position in which slide 62 engages a notch 64 in the proximate end of arm 57 to facilitate lever 27 being pulled in the direction of arrow R in FIG. 6. When lever 27 is pulled in the direction of arrow R, arm 57 pivots about axle 70 of base 50, pin 58 moves away from bracket 55, elastic member 61 is stretched to increase the resistance provided by elastic member 61, and pin 60 is pressed against fixed bracket 55.

A user sits on seat 15, places his feet on footrest 23, places his head against headrest 16, grasps handle 28 with his left hand, grasps handle 29 with his right hand, and simultaneously pushes handle 28 and lever 26 and pulls handle 29 and lever 27 from their respective positions illustrated in FIG. 1. The user then gradually reduces the pull or push force applied to each lever 26, 27 and allows elastic members 61 and 74 to return their respective levers to the positions shown in FIG. 1. This exercise can be repeated as many times as desired.

As would be appreciated by those of skill in the art, the slides 62, 75 can be positioned such that both levers 26, 27 are pushed, or pulled. Similarly, the lever assembly 40 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 25 can be adjusted such that one lever 26B is pushed and the other lever 27B is pulled with a user's legs when the user is sitting on seat 15 and each of his or her feet is in a different one of stirrups 28B, 29B. Or lever assembly 40 can be adjusted such that both levers 26B, 27B can be simultaneously pushed, or pulled, by the user's legs.

When lever assembly 35 is in the position illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 20, lever 84 is, when the user is sitting on seat 15, displaced in direction M or N by grasping handle 36 with one or both of the user's hands and using the user's arms and upper body to push laterally lever 84 in the direction M or N, as desired. 

1. An exercise machine comprising (a) a frame; (b) a seat mounted on the frame; (c) a lever assembly mounted on said frame and including (i) a base, (ii) at least one lever mounted on said base and having a distal end with a handle and a proximate end pivotally connected to said base, (iii) a stop member fixedly mounted on said base, (iv) a first bracket having a distal end with a first engagement member extending outwardly therefrom and a proximate end pivotally mounted on said base and movable between at least two operative positions, a first normal operative position with said first engagement member contacting said stop member, and a second displaced operative position with said first engagement member spaced apart from said stop member, (v) a second bracket having a distal end with a second engagement member extending outwardly therefrom and a proximate end pivotally mounted on said base and movable between at least two operative positions, a first normal operative position with said second engagement member contacting said stop member, and a second displaced operative position with said second engagement member spaced apart from said stop member; (vi) an elastic member engaging and extending between said first and second engagement members; (vii) a slide operatively associated with said lever and movable between at least two operative positions, a first operative position engaging said proximate end of said first bracket such that displacing said distal end pivotally displaces said first bracket to move said first engagement member away from said stop and distends said elastic member to generate a force pulling said second member against said stop, and a second operative position engaging said proximate end of said second bracket such that displacing said distal end pivotally displaces said second bracket to move said second engagement member away from stop and distends said elastic member to generate a force pulling said first member against said stop.
 2. A method for performing an exercise, comprising the steps of (a) providing an exercise machine including (i) a frame; (ii) a seat mounted on the frame; (iii) a lever assembly mounted on said frame and including a base, at least one lever mounted on said base and having a distal end with a handle and a proximate end pivotally connected to said base, a stop member fixedly mounted on said base, a first bracket having a distal end with a first engagement member extending outwardly therefrom and a proximate end pivotally mounted on said base and movable between at least two operative positions, a first normal operative position with said first engagement member contacting said stop member, and a second displaced operative position with said first engagement member spaced apart from said stop member, a second bracket having a distal end with a second engagement member extending outwardly therefrom and a proximate end pivotally mounted on said base and movable between at least two operative positions, a first normal operative position with said second engagement member contacting said stop member, and a second displaced operative position with said second engagement member spaced apart from said stop member; an elastic member engaging and extending between said first and second engagement members; a slide operatively associated with said lever and movable between at least two operative positions, a first operative position engaging said proximate end of said first bracket such that displacing said distal end pivotally displaces said first bracket to move said first engagement member away from said stop and distends said elastic member to generate a force pulling said second member against said stop, and a second operative position engaging said proximate end of said second bracket such that displacing said distal end pivotally displaces said second bracket to move said second engagement member away from stop and distends said elastic member to generate a force pulling said first member against said stop; (b) moving said slide to said first operative position; and, (c) pulling said distal end of said lever to pivotally displaces said first bracket to move said first engagement member away from said stop and distend said elastic member to generate a force pulling said second member against said stop.
 3. The exercise machine of claim 1 including a second lever assembly mounted on said frame and including (i) a base, (ii) at least one lever mounted on said base and having a distal end with a handle and a proximate end pivotally connected to said base, (iii) a second stop member fixedly mounted on said base, (iv) a third bracket having a distal end with a third engagement member extending outwardly therefrom and a proximate end pivotally mounted on said base and movable between at least two operative positions, a first normal operative position with said third engagement member contacting said second stop member, and a second displaced operative position with said third engagement member spaced apart from said second stop member, (v) a fourth bracket having a distal end with a fourth engagement member extending outwardly therefrom and a proximate end pivotally mounted on said base and movable between at least two operative positions, a first normal operative position with said fourth engagement member contacting said second stop member, and a second displaced operative position with said fourth engagement member spaced apart from said second stop member; and, (vi) an elastic member engaging and extending between said first and second engagement members. 